Chicken Alfredo

One of the favorite meals among my family is Chicken Alfredo, it is incredibly unhealthy and I only make it for them once in a blue moon, but when I choose to make it, I make it with as much love as I do any other meal. Really, if you add love, you won't ever go wrong! So introducing Classy Cooks, Chicken Alfredo!

What You Will Need:
* 1 lb. of Chicken (cubed)
* 1 box of Fettuccine Pasta
* 1 bag of shredded mozzarella cheese
* 1 Container of ricotta cheese (larger container)
* 1 Stick of butter
* 1 pint of half & half
* 1 Red Pepper (chopped)
* 1/2 white onion (chopped)
* 1 cup of broccoli florets
* 1/2 tomato

The Experience:
1. In a large pasta bowl bring water to a boil.
2. Add in some olive oil and salt
3. Chop red pepper, onion, broccoli and tomato and put into medium bowl.
4. Add olive oil and Italian seasoning and stir up.
5. Cube chicken and put into separate bowl.
6. Add olive oil and Italian seasoning.
7. In large skillet, saute veggies and chicken until white & cooked thoroughly.
8. Add pasta to boiling water for 11 minutes or until al dente.
9. In medium bowl mix ricotta cheese, add 1/2 & 1/2, and salt and pepper and seasoning salt.

This recipe serves 6 people. If your family is anything like mine, they will love this recipe. Yes, it is an unhealthy meal, but when you add veggies at least you feel healthier! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does!

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Colorful Frittatas

Okay, so this dish is soooooooo yummy! It is very convenient to use leftover vegetables from the night before. It is traditionally and Italian breakfast but can easily be turned into a delicious healthy lunch! This recipe I made out of what I had left over from the Thai Red Chicken Curry, it worked out great. I woke up, my mom and sister were still asleep and I went to town and surprised them with a nice breakfast treat! And in Classy Cook's kitchen, mornings are when the mood of the day is set, and if you are woken up to the scents of delicious Colorful Frittatas and biscuits, nobody can have a bad day! IT IS PROVEN!

What You Will Need:
* 1 cup broccoli florets
* 1 onion (chopped)
* 1/2 Red Bell Pepper (chopped)
* 1 and 1/2 tsp. butter
* 1/2 cup E.V.O.O
* 1 Chicken breast
* 8 Eggs
* 4 tbsp. of water
* 4 tbsp. dijon mustard
* 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
* 1 and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

The Experience:
1. Turn oven on to 375 degrees.
2. In a large skillet, saute broccoli, onions, pepper, and chicken in oil and butter.
3. In mixing bowl, beat eggs, water, mustard, & Italian seasoning until foamy.
4. Stir in cheese and broccoli mixture.
5. Pour into greased pan.
6. Bake on 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

This recipe will hit the spot, especially for a brunch time breakfast. Serve with warm biscuits and orange juice or coffee and you will have a happy group all day long!

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New York Philadelphia Cheesecake

So, I'm not one for baking, but I was craving cheesecake, go figure. I decided to make the richest, creamiest, most unbelievably heavenly cheesecake. This is a fun recipe to make and it will definitely please any audience you have, even the biggest dessert critics!

What You Will Need:
* 20 oreo cookies (finely crushed)
* 3 tbsp. of butter (melted)
* 5 (8oz.) packages Philadelphia cream cheese
* 1 cup sugar
* 3 tbsp. flour
* 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
* 1 cup (Breakstones) sour cream
* 4 eggs
* 1 can (21oz.) Cherry pie filling

The Experience:
1. Turn oven on to 325 degrees.
2. Line a 13x9 in. baking dish with tin foil.
3. Crush oreos up.
4. Melt butter.
5. Mix oreos and butter and press onto bottom of dish.
6. Beat cream cheese, sugar, flour, & vanilla extract with a mixer until blended.
7. Add sour cream; mix well.
8. Add eggs; 1 at a time; mix on low speed.
9. Pour over crust; soften out batter.
10. Bake uncovered on 325 degrees.
11. Bake for 40 minutes.
12. Depending on preference keep in refrigerator 1/2 to 4 hours.
14. Bring out, serve with cherry filling & coffee.

This recipe will bring great joy and reviews from your foodie audience! If you are looking for cooking affirmation, this dish is completely satisfying and delicious!

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Cannelloni

I am very much Italian. It is in my blood, I look it, and let's face it it is my favorite cuisine to cook. If all I do is share my love of Italian food with the world, I could die a happy woman! I just want to say that Italian food, never gets old, there are many variations, tastes, and you can use the same ingredients to make a lot of different recipes.

Cannelloni is delicious recipe, one that I did not grow up with, but when I found it, I fell in Love. Disclaimer: If you do not like getting your hands dirty while cooking, I suggest not making this recipe! If you choose not to make this one, please continue looking through the archive: I'm sure you will find one you like!

What You Will Need:
* 12 cannelloni shells
* 3 (8oz.) cans of tomato sauce (traditional)
* 2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 lb. of ground beef
* 1/4 cup of chopped onions
* 1 clove of garlic (minced) (optional)
* 1 (10 oz.) package of frozen spinach (thawed)
* 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
* 2 tbsp. milk
* 2 eggs (slightly beaten)
* 1/2 tsp. dried leaf oregano (crumbled)
* 1/4 cup of butter
* 1/4 cup + 2 tbs. all-purpose flour
* 2 cups half & half
* 1/8 tsp. white pepper
* 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (grated)

The Experience:
1. Turn oven on to 375 degrees.
2. Cook cannelloni according to directions (al dente preferable).
3. Combine tomato sauce and 2 tbsp. Parmesan.
4. Spread lightly (olive oil) in 13x9 in. Baking dish.
5. Spread 1 cup of tomato sauce in baking dish over olive oil.
6. Set baking dish aside as well as extra sauce.
7. Cook ground beef, onions, & Italian seasoning in a large skillet until meat is browned.
8. Drain beef well.
9. Add spinach; saute for 3 minutes.
10. Add 1/3 cup of Parmesan, milk, eggs, & oregano; stir well.
11. Stuff cannelloni shells with beef mixture.
12. Place shells in 13x9 in. dish on sauce.
13. Melt butter in Heavy saucepan over low heat.
14. Add flour, stirring until smooth, cook for 1 minute.
15. Gradually add half & half over medium heat until thick and bubbling; stir in pepper.
16. Pour cheese sauce over cannelloni.
17. Pour extra tomato sauce on top of cheese sauce.
18. Sprinkle mozzerella on top.
19. Bake uncovered on 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

I really think if you enjoy traditional Italian Food, you will LOVE this!
It is really fun to make, it is really delicious, and it is a great way to get the family around the table and enjoying!

Salute

Mexican Mexican Lasagne

I have made this recipe two times and it is one of those old faithful recipes:



What you will need:
2 lbs. ground beef
12 flour tortillas
1 large container of salsa (spice preference depends on you)
1 bag of Mexican cheese
1 pack of taco bell beef spice

(Optional Items)
Sour cream
tomatoes (chopped)
Lettuce
Taco Sauce

When I am cooking Mexican I like to have a little Latino music playing in the back ground, just my preference.

The process:
- Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a skillet, brown the beef.
- When beef is browned, drain, and add in taco bell beef mix.
- Spray cooking oil into deep dish lasagna baking pan.
- Put 3 tortillas overlapping to cover bottom of baking pan
- Layer taco meat, cheese, then salsa.
- Cover that with 3 more tortillas overlapping.
- Layer taco meat, cheese, then salsa.
- Cover that with 4 tortillas overlapping.
- Coat top layer with more salsa and use the last of your cheese.
- Cover pan with tin foil.
- Bake covered on 375 degrees for 40 minutes.
- Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Slice into squares like lasagna.
- Serve with chopped lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and taco sauce.

This is a great meal when entertaining friends, it is quick and simple, and quite frankly, IT IS DELICIOUS!

I love making this dish because it is not traditional Mexican food the way you would think but it incorporates lots of Mexican Flavors.

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Thai Red Chicken Curry

A few days ago I was craving Thai food, so I decided to cook some for myself, on the count that my favorite Thai restaurant is rather pricy and about thirty minutes from where I live. So I thought of my favorite meal on their menu, Red Chicken Curry, and decided to do a version of my own. I'm first going to give you the ingredients and brands I used, then I will take you step by step through the cooking experience I had. It was a Great Experience!

Ingredients:
1.5 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast. (I used Harvestland from Walmart, because it is all natural and so healthy.)
1 8oz. can of bamboo shoots ( I used 2 cans, it depends on your preference. I used Dynasty sliced bamboo shoots from Walmart.)
2 cups of Jasmine Rice ( I used Rice Select from Walmart.)
1 tsp. Curry Powder ( I used Great Value from Walmart.)
2 11oz. bottles of Red Curry Sauce ( I used Thai Kitchen from Target.)
2 13.66oz cans of Coconut Milk ( I used Thai Kitchen from Target.)
1 Red Pepper ( I used organic brand from Target.)
1 bag of fresh Green Beans ( I used organice Brand from Target.)
1 large White Onion ( from Target.)
1 fresh red chili, sliced diagnolly ( I used Dried Thai Chilies from World Market.)
2 tbsp fish sauce ( I used Thai Kitchen from World Market, the only place other than an Oriental store to carry it in the area.)
1/4 tsp sea salt ( I used whatever was in my cabinet.)

The Experience:
1. Cooking
I got home and began my preparation I cleaned the chicken and pounded it. I got my rice started, because it would take the longest time to make. I started going through my bags and pulling out all my ingredients, I pulled out my new dining set and realized one of the rice bowls was broken directly in the middle! HOW DID I MISS THAT! So I got right back in my car and took it back to World Market and replaced it. Finally got back to the kitchen and began on preparation, yet again. I chopped all of my vegetable and put them all into one bowl. I then cubed my chicken into small, bite sized pieces. I then got my Wok heating on high. When my Wok was heated, I poured in one can of my coconut milk into my Wok and brought it to a boil. I then added in my 2 cans of Red Curry Sauce and brought it again to a boil. Next I added my chicken cubes, I let the chicken saute in the milk and curry sauce until it was white and cooked all the way through. After I confirmed the chicken was thoroughly cooked I added in my vegetables. When all the vegetables were almost perfectly done, I added in the second can of coconut milk and 2 cans of bamboo shoots. On top of that I added in 1 tsp. of the curry powder for flavor. This is just what I prefered for my familie's needs, but feel free to be liberal with any of these amounts. I brought all of my flavors to the right taste and the meal was finished. 25 minutes and a whole lot of flavor. I served the curry in my rice bowls and put the rice in a ball on the dinner plate with an fresh orange slice garnish, I put soy sauce in the sauce bowls and it looked amazing!

2. Desert
For desert I wanted to do something inexpensive and along the Thai cuisine. So I did my own take on the desert: I bought Market Pantry Vanilla Wafers from Target. I crushed the Vanilla wafers, enough to cover the bottom of a medium circle bake pan. I melted 1 1/2 sticks of butter and poured it evenly on the Vanilla Wafers. I bought Bryers all natural vanilla ice cream and a large mango, (both from Target.) I put the Vanilla wafers into the oven for 10 minutes on 325 degrees just enough to get it stuck together. Then I chopped the mango up to the seed and put the pieces into the vitamix and blended with 1 cup of boiling hot water for 1 minute and a half. I then put that on high on the stove and added in 1 1/2 cups of sugar 1 tbsp of honey, 1 tbsp of baking powder and 2 tsp. of all purpose flour. I whisked constantly for 5 minutes until I reduced my heat to low. Then I placed my Vanilla Wafer crust on the plate, scooped some ice cream onto the crust, crushed some Vanilla wafers on top of the ice cream and drizzled the mango dressing onto the crumbled topping and let it run over onto the plate. Served with a fortune cookie garnish (La Choy fortune cookies from Target) and decaf coffee. SUCCESS!!!

3. The Outcome!
When the food was presented to my family, I don't think that they could believe what was sitting in front of them. The first bites were taken and the gratification was enough to make me smile a whole lot. Basically this was a great experience and I will definitely be doing this recipe again!

Recipe:
- Wash the chicken, slice diagnoally, then cube.
- Pour 1 can of coconut milk into wok. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly. Add the curry sauce, stir until boiling. Add the chicken and saute until it turns white and is cooked through.
- Add the remaining can of coconut milk, follow with the bamboo shoots. Season with fish sauce and bring back to a boil. Sprinkle with chilies. Turn off the heat. Arrange on a sercing dish and garnish with a thinly sliced orange.

Serves 4.

Thank You for joining me in 1 Classy Cook's Kitchen. I hope you enjoy this recipe, but more importantly I hope that you enjoy the experience and the outcome!

Thank You to the wonderful providers of the ingredients for this meal: Walmart, Target, World Market, and Kohl's.

Salute

The Beautiful Art of Cooking

So I recently watched Julie & Julia, which was a wonderfully enjoyable movie. It made me think, I love movies that do that, but it made me think of my love and passion for cooking. I don't love certain recipes or the World's top chef's. I love the process of cooking. The process of creating something delicious and beautiful out of a lot of different and unique ingredients. Cooking is an art, it is similar to an orchestra. A lot of different musical components are present but are making on beautiful noise. A lot of different ingredients are present making one delicious dish. I love the look on the faces of those who are eating and enjoying my meals. I love the accolades from an appreciative foodie. More than all of that, however, I love the peace and relaxation that cooking a the kitchen gives me. My cooking style is very unique, well in comparison to my family, because I like finding recipes and loosely sticking to them. Recipes for me are more of a foundation then I build the meal off of it.

This blog will be me not only sharing delicious recipes with you, whoever you are, but it will include me sharing my cooking experience with you, memories that certain meals help me to remember, and traditional Italian recipes passed down from my family.

Cooking and eating are all senses required experience, it should be experienced with people who you love and enjoy. Food should be tasted, looked upon, touched, smelled and out of those the sounds of laughter and joy will penetrate any room.

I invite you to step into the Kitchen of 1 Classy Cook, where the stoves and ovens are hot and the sounds of The Holiday soundtrack are heard, and experience food in a new way.

Salute